Transformers Review: Japanese store exclusive Torque Gain

Transformers Japanese exclusive microns: Torque Gain
Size: Minicon
MSRP: 0-100$ (depending on how much money you NEED to waste)
OUT NOWA TF review written exclusively for Inside Pulse by Rikkomba

 

Here comes a new review for a new Japanese exclusive micron. This little guy was exclusively available in Japan since July 19 at Jusco retail stores, as a free giveaway with the purchase of a MD-07 Megatron or MD-08 Starscream figure (again, thanks to Tformers.com). In my opinion, to sell Movie Megatron not even a professional stripper would be a good enough giveaway, but let’s move on…

Noise Effect wasn’t the last of its kind, unluckily.

Our new friend comes with an incredible name. If my last minicon, Noise Effect, was hilarious for me to review because of its funny name, this time I think we trespassed the known boundaries of decency and rationality for Transformers names. I don’t have the strength to laugh this time, actually I am quite pale. Any contribution to help me cure myself with a full Hawaii Holiday Therapy can be sent to my paypal account.
I guess it’s time to be strong. I will try, for You all.
Here it comes… our new exclusive micron, a straight repaint of Classic Divebomb…
Torque Gain.
Ok, I said it. And don’t tell me I didn’t warn you.
Repeat with me: Torque Gain. Torque. Gain. Torquegain. Torqueue Gainy. Turkish Gain. Gaingaingain. Torched Again. TORQUE GAIN. Yeah. Life is not so easy, sometimes.

Torque Gain: just another United Nations failure.

For my own mental health (actually, to pretend I still have any left) I will refer to the subject of this review as TM, as for “This Minicon”. Please bare with me.

TM actually is not that bad, if you try not to consider its infamous name: where Classic Divebomb had a flat blue-gray-yellow color scheme, TM seems to be a homage to G1 Whirl/Turbomaster Rotorstorm/Universe Autobot Whirl.

I mean, that’s the idea. If you get a light blue colored helicopter with some yellow or red details, you HAVE to declare it’s a G1 Whirl homage. Even a TF reviewer has rules to follow, what did you think? Geez, I am not paid enough for this. Since my next review, I’ll start asking for TWO (2) donuts, methinks…

Differently from Autobot Minicon Divebomb (goodbye Third Faction, nobody will miss you anyway), TM is a Decepticon Minicon, as shown by a very nice and very purple faction symbol.

No comment.

In vehicle mode, TM has the same details Divebomb has,meaning we still get 2 unpainted cannons and 10 unpainted missiles, yet there’s still a “77” stamped on the left wing, with “T.M.R.” on the other one. After some investigation, I discovered that T.M.R. stays for “Tullius Marcy Roboant”, and that both wings reveal name and age of the designer’s last boyfriend. Kudos to the designer!

I like a lot this mold’s vehicle mode, it’s probably the most realistic TF ‘copter of them all, considering that Scorponok’s cage kills Movie Blackout’s disguise and that piss doesn’t fly, a factor that automatically kills Cybertron Evac’s disguise. But feel free to contradict me on this last issue: I am not so sure it doesn’t fly.

This Micron would have been a much better name.

TM transformation and robot mode are further examples of Classic minicons’ experimental nature: through an involved transformation sequence (more involved than most Basic TFs) we get a TOTALLY UNARTICULATED TF.
There in no articulation to be found.
Nay.
Nada.
Legs are 2 sticks, arms can only bend to the sides, but elbows DON’T bend to the side, so it doesn’t matter… and what about the head? Well, TM’s head, as Divebomb’s, is the only active part, providing all the fun: not only it has 2 cannons on its sides, but the vehicle mode blades are still in position, ready to take TM wherever he needs to go.

This is a pretty unique example of a TF with no articulation but with much more action than many bricks: Beast Machines Jetstorm was never using his legs in robot mode, hovering all the time, but he needed his arms to fire at Maximals! TM is much more practical: not only he can hover all the time as well, but he doesn’t need any arm, not even one! So cooooooool.

And what about vehicle mode’s 10 missiles? They are still there, on top of its shoulders, ready to blast its blades at any time.
Basically we are talking about a paralyzed minicon with suicidal tendencies as gimmick: I always thought Japan was the most innovative country, but know we all know how much!

Relax… Take it eaaaaaaasy…

Apart from its awesomely awful name, TM is a very good addition for any collection, especially for those G1 fans that don’t deny themselves something else from time to time, like a minicon or a woman.

On Elohim’s Energon scale, I give Torque Gain
8 out of 10 cubes.

Take care,

Rikkomba